The Chinese Lantern Festival comprises a collection of modern lanterns made of silky cloth, glass, and porcelain. Electrically lit using energy-saving compact fluorescent lamps (new this season), the 2013 exhibition includes 25 lantern sets. Among them, the impressive Imperial Dragon Boat, stretching over 120 feet in the middle of the lagoon; and the Porcelain Pagoda—nine spires which tower up to 53 feet. The pagoda is made from a staggering 68,000 plates, bowls, spoons, and wine cups...all tied together by hand.

When the sun goes down, the lanterns come to life, as the art illuminates, moves, and takes on an other-worldly life of its own. It's truly a fantasyland of colors, shapes, and cultural discovery.

Construction of this exceptional exhibit originated in China, where a team of more than 100 artisans and technical staff did preliminary work in Sichuan, the cradle of Chinese lantern-making. Small completed pieces and raw materials were shipped by sea to the U.S. west coast, then trucked to Dallas, where a team of more than 40 arrived from China to construct the majority of the exhibits on-site. Last summer, they worked long, hot days to create this unique showcase. Custom-built for the site at Fair Park, this is not a touring show, and is a rare chance to witness the genius of the world's foremost lantern-makers.

Come see the fruits of their labor, and 'Light a New Year's Dream', now open every night through February 17, 2014.